billy bragg - the short answer.mpg

from worker's playtime

[@bindivenmars]

The first time I thought I heard Billy was on the radio when the great leap forward was played off workers playtime. I didn't know who it was because I only heard it once and didn't hear who it was or the tittle, but the bloody tune was buzzin' in my head like a hive of bees. I couldn't forget it and at work I was hummin' the tune and some cat I was working with asked if I liked Billy Bragg. Well I could of kissed the guy because once I found out who it was I went out and bought everything I could get my grubby little mitts on, and low and behold turned out I had been listening to him for years from other songs that I loved but didn't realize they were his. Back then he was a bit obscure which is the way I prefer my music, but I really wished the rest of the world could appreciate this beauty of a human being and all the love he pours into his music. Maybe someday but by then it may be too late.May the good lord always look after Billy Bragg because he done his best to look after us!

[@morpheusascends]

OK SO WE ARE SHARING 1ST TIME WITH BILLY BRAGG STORIES. I THINK I HEARD SEXUALITY FROM ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN ON MY COLLEGE RADIOS STATION. AND THAT WAS SO ADDICTIVE I WENT DIRECTLY TO THE LOCAL STORE AND BOUGHT IT. BUT I THINK I HAD WORKERS PLAYTIME FIRST AND THAT I WAS LISTENING TO SO MANY DIFFERENT STYLES AT THE TIME THAT I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS A NEW CASS. OUT. SHIT TALKING TO THE POSTMAN ABOUT POETRY. BACK TO BASICS. THEN WELL WILLIAM BLOKE. BUT THE INTERNATIONAL THAT REALLY WAS AMAZING. SO MUCH GOOD MUSIC FROM 84-EARLY 2000 NOT THAT THERE'S NOT GREAT STUFF NOT ITS JUST DIFFERENT.I THINK I HAVE EVERY BILLY BRAGG SONG MEMORIZED BUT THE SMITHS AS WELL. FIRST TIME I HEARD THEN IN HIGH SCHOOL THAT MADE LIFE MAKE SENSE. AND YES I AM A PURE HETERO. THERE'S JUST SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT CERTAIN PEOPLE OR GROUPS THAT TAKES TO YOU A DIFFERENT PLACE IN TIME.

[@jasongrannell6100]

College radio here in the States.1988. I felt so much humanity and compassion coming through the songs I was an instant and lifelong fan.

[@kennethbrady]

College girlfriend put "A New England" on a mix tape for me. 1986 or so, and that was it. Hooked. Girlfriend didn't last, but we still exchange Xmas card after all these years, and I STILL listen to Billy Bragg. :)

[@kennethcollins6494]

The first song that hooked me was New Spell, one minute she said she’d gone to get the cat in the next thing I know she’s mumbling in Latin! Really? Who else could ever come up with that? Sir Billy

[@IwantJenniferConelly]

"no amount of poetry could mend this broken heart...but you could push the HOOVER around if you want to make a start".....BEAUTIFUL

[@seanericanderson3666]

One of the first great romantic songs I ever really felt, hearing this at 13

[@jamesbns7261]

Wish I had, I found late night smut television advertising instead...

[@bigyeet5857]

Hey, you're an adult now! Still enjoying it?

[@seanericanderson3666]

@@jamesbns7261 lol. and yes

[@jenton70]

Great album, still have my old vinyl copy.

[@markallgood7980]

The lyrics sum up my adolescence and early 20's. I still shudder now!

[@cybaker2698]

Mark Allgood Me too my friend 💚

[@Tcoldsteel]

Great playlist

[@paololongo3859]

...part of the soundtrack of my 20'...so deep and unforgettable

[@edenwylie8917]

RIP Mary Phenna (1972-2021)

[@nodge1000]

"..fighting on the waterbed like a honeymoon couple on drugs..." brill.

[@georgeferreira124]

john robertson just imagine it without drugs though. Imagine if breathing oxygen felt like cocaine...The would be no cancer. Doctors aren't smart enough. The World Communist Party Fuck the nra. They dream of stupid and totally unrealistic and silly dreams of cow"boys", and that someday they will take a sip of whiskey after a gunfight where he wins the dame. I am hereby putting A GAUNTLET ON THE NRA.

[@terrytibbs5678]

fighting with a watermelon like a couple of cunts - brill

[@porkchops2]

just remember being 19 on holiday with my mates some cider and a bit blow loving this cassette!

[@bindivenmars]

Sorry people but I gotta say one more thing. Hannarrr, I love you, just because of your auntie and just because of this song and just because of Billy Bragg. Ok what can I say I love the guy. Carry on mate!

[@simonsharman5518]

" ...She said "Honey it's such a shame you'll never be any good at this game; You bruise too easily"..".

[@sutopiasue]

Rest in peace, Susannah. A sad day for us all.

[@markallgood7980]

And I thought I had been unlucky in love....?Poor Billy!

[@Hannarrr]

this song was written about my auntie :)

[@CharnockJC]

And my cousin - we must be related x x

[@TM-dh8um]

And about the ex-wife of the manager of my first band ;) Small world I guess

[@axon]

I would love to know what she thinks about it. Imagine being the inspiration for such a great song.

[@mikeoconnell8031]

2017. Holds water.

[@bhops001]

@Hannarrr Sincerely I am fucken fascinated to know that. This whole album was obviously aimed at one woman. Well maybe not 'aimed' but it is clear that one bad relationship was the inspiration behind most of it. How cool that you know who she was.

[@studonaldson1497]

That wasn’t very nice was it Bryce? If it helps u at all to have a nasty little dig at me too I also knew Mary for a while and her then partner too, nice bloke. So now u can ‘vent your spleen’ in peace and tell everyone who’s interested that you were ‘fucken fascinated’ to read my contribution too. What’s stopping u ? Sam X

[@brycewilson5886]

@@studonaldson1497 How was it not nice?? Sincerely baffled by your response.

[@EstebanSanbora]

muy bueno !

[@dprkspacemarine]

For the girl with the soap in her mouth and the stars in her hair.

[@ianfitzsimmons9878]

You are so funny

[@davidmaholchic6146]

Not a word wasted poetry

[@jamesbaker9106]

Between Marx and marzipan in the dictionary there was Mary Between the Deep Blue Sea and the Devil that was me If ever anyone could help me with my obsession with The young Suzannah York It was Mary In my pink pajamas she asked me for something I gave her the short answer She read our stars out loud And I knew then that we should have gone sailing But we stayed home instead Fighting on the water bed Like the honeymoon couple on drugs Me and Mary What happened in the past Remained a mystery of natural history She should have been the last But she was just the latest If she wanted to be a farmer's wife I would endure that muddy life I would dig for victory And the sound of happy couples Coupling happily in the dark While you and I sat down to tea I remember you said to me That no amount of poetry Would mend this broken heart But you can put the Hoover round If you want to make a start All my friends from school Introduce me to their spouses While I'm left standing here With my hands down the front of my trousers I just don't know what's to be done I wonder sometimes how did Dad meet Mum And how did they conceive of me Tell me Mary The boys who came to the shop Always made her laugh much more than I did When I told her this must stop She didn't bat an eyelid She said you know honey it's such a shame You'll never be any good at this game You bruise too easily So said Mary Her two brothers took me out Of circulation for the duration So we went our separate ways but does she still love me She still has my door key Like a bully boy in a Benetton shop You're never happy with what you've got Till what you've got is gone Sorry Mary

[@MitchCrane]

Who else is listening to this in 2033?

[@quoileternite]

Me

[@hisnamewasSam]

If you don’t enjoy this song by 23 seconds in you’re probably not going to take to it. Hats off to Mr Bragg to compose such a simple song that deals with the complexity of love and he’s still able to work in the communism angle! Lol.

[@wovokanarchy]

Susannah York died today. We all are getting old very fast.

[@kennethcollins6494]

wovokanarchy ain’t that the sad fucking truth

[@daisyjane1070]

1988?

[@beckyfurey2833]

You could vacuum

[@thorneytorkelson40]

or so said you? I love so many bbragg songs but this one falls flat. I was longing to hear this song because of the line "i wonder sometimes, how did dad meet mom, and how did they conceive of me? Only Mary. But the rest of the song is so misogynistic. In any case Billy B. was not my hero in this.